Menu

Cell phones, stethoscopes, even car keys can transmit healthcare infections. Now you can disinfect mobile items in this “UV Box”

by Brianna Crandall — August 25, 2017 — Advanced Ultra-Violet Systems (AUVS) and Hytech Ireland have reached an exclusive agreement for the distribution of AUVS’ highly regarded KR615 Countertop UV Disinfection Device — commonly known as The UV Box — across the U.K. The announcement comes less than a month after AUVS announced a similar agreement that named Safety Net as its exclusive distributor in the United States, Canada and South America.

The UV Box was developed specifically to target the mobile medical and non-medical devices that are known agents of cross-contamination and that threaten clinicians, patients, families and visitors with debilitating and deadly hospital-associated infections (HAIs). These devices — including cell phones, tablets, stethoscopes, glucometers, blood pressure cuffs and personal items from eye glasses to car keys — are not effectively treated by traditional and high-tech disinfection processes due to their frequent handling and mobile nature, says AUVS.

AUVS’ KR615 Countertop UV Disinfection Device now accommodates all full-sized iPads and tablets, reportedly killing contaminants at a 99.9% rate in less than 60 seconds.

The UV Box has been independently proven in an FDA consulting lab to disinfect 99.9% of the most difficult-to-treat contaminants, including C. diff spores and MRSA, in less than 60 seconds, says the company. Since its introduction in the healthcare industry, a number of other industries have expressed an interest in AUVS’ technology, leading to inroads in the food processing and foodservice industries, as well as law enforcement and municipal government, among others.

Hytech founder Rodney Cadden, a microbiologist with 25 years’ experience in the food, beverage, diary and pharmaceutical industries, sees The UV Box as being consistent with his company’s mission to evaluate and provide proven disinfection technologies to both medical and non-medical industries across the U.K. Under terms of the agreement, AUVS will manufacture and support The UV Box, while Hytech will provide sales, consulting and service across the U.K.

Big impact in a short time

Since being introduced in the United States during the second half of 2016, more than 100 hospitals, including a number of U.S. health care leaders, have already integrated The UV Box into their infection prevention and staff safety protocols, or committed to do so, according to Psihas.

Psihas says the success of The UV Box is attributable to several integrated factors including:

Speed and ease of use — There is no learning curve; complete training takes about the same time needed to complete a single UV disinfection cycle: 60 seconds

Safety — Since all UV energy is contained, The UV Box can be used throughout the hospital, including in occupied patient rooms, the OR, ICU and Emergency Departments, as well as in public areas.

Environmentally friendly — The UV Box uses no consumables and creates no waste, saving money and reducing the environmental impact as compared with purchasing and disposing of tens of thousands of germicidal wipes.

Protection of expensive equipment — The UV Box will not harm expensive medical devices, particularly those with LCD screens, the way bleach-based wipes can.

ROI — The UV Box has been shown to pay for itself in a matter of months based on reduced use of germicidal wipes and disposable devices.